Elves and Demigods

Chapter 36

"Five hundred and ninety eight", Jason said through gritted teeth. "Five hundred and ninety nine, six hundred". Jason's hands gave way and he fell to the ground on his chest with a poof! 

Next to him, there was another similar sound as Piper's body hit the ground.

The thud of one more body followed. 

"Ughhhh", Fitz moaned.

"Very good children!" Lady Gisela piped. "You're free for the rest of the day!" 

She said it like she had just let little kids run away from homework to go out and play in a pool. The truth, however, was that Jason, Fitz and Piper and just finished their intense workout for the day, which began at dawn. It usually lasted for the entire day, but the three of them finished it a few hours before dusk. 

And now that they finished, they didn't really have much to do inside the fortified place the Neverseen had caged them in. Their only options were to either wait for dinner time, or visit Apollo and Will in the hospital wing. After taking a nap, of course. Jason's vision was already blurring. 

The Elf and Demigods made their way to their dormitories, and climbed into their beds, agreeing that they needed rest. 

In a while, they realized that despite their weary bodies, none of them could sleep. So then they decided to go see Apollo and Will. 

The hospital wing wasn't too far from their dorms- just down the corridor. It almost felt like a warning, You disobey and you will find yourself here. 

Piper, being the closest to the door, turned the knob and pushed the door. "Will? Apollo?" She called out. Silence.

She walked through the door; Fitz and I followed suit.

The hospital wing was small. Too small. It only had four beds. 

Apollo's sand-colored hair stuck out from above the blanket on the bed closest to the door; the rest of his body was covered. Will- William (For Miss Gisela had asked them to call him by his full name) lay on bed opposite to his brother's, but unlike Apollo, he didn't have a blanket on at all. For some reason, it was buried beneath him. 

William's eyes were wide open. Jason made his way towards his bed. 

"Sorry... Couldn't answer", William managed to say. His voice was raspy and tired, like every word took a lot out of him. He moved his hand like he wanted to get up, but gave up soon.  

"It's okay", Fitz said quickly. "Sorry if we disturbed". 

"Stay. Please".  

The two Demigods and Elf propped themselves up of the bed next to Williams. 

"I see Apollo hasn't woken up yet", Piper noted. 

"I just did", William inhaled. "A few hours ago. I think". 

Jason had many questions. He wanted to talk. But he didn't, because watching William wince with every breath hurt. 

"You shouldn't have tried to leave, William", Fitz said. 

"Or, at least, you should have told us about your plan. We could have gotten together and constructed a better one and escape together someday", Jason said. He didn't know himself where the words were coming from. Why was he talking about leaving the Neverseen when they had practically adopted the five of them?

Piper looked like she was about to agree. 

Then there was the piercing pain in Jason's head. It was bad, but didn't last long and he nearly jumped from surprise. Judging by Piper's hands springing to her head and Fitz rubbing his temples and William letting out a short moan, they felt it too. Then, just as it came, it was gone. 

"No", Fitz said. There was something different and strange about his voice now. It sounded stiff, almost robotic. "We shall be loyal to the Neverseen forever". 

"Yes. They are our guardians and protectors", Jason found himself agreeing. All of a sudden, he believed that the Neverseen were right. They were the good people". 

"I'm a sinner... For doubting them", William confessed. He coughed, and continued, "We are a part of them". 

"Never try leaving them again. Your punishment was merciful", Piper said, a dark look in her voice. 

"I apologize for what I did", came a very soft, very weak voice. Apollo. 

Fitz smirked evilly. Jason found it encouraging. "Together, we will beat the Elves and Demigods who betrayed us".